Browsing Tag

Goble Properties

Celebrating Shared Values

Seventy five years ago a young couple, soon to be a young family, launched a family business. Over the decades it took many forms, from sandwich shops to coin operated car washes to real estate development. Plus, of course, what we’d all call junkyards.

Today we call that small family business Goble Properties. And though that name only came into being about 40-years ago, it represents the ambitions of 75-years of hard work and investment. I run the company bearing that name today, but it has definitely been a family effort. Over the years my siblings, nieces, nephews, grandpa, aunts, …

Goble Properties,

The Power of Small Business

The young man, in his early 30’s, peppered me with questions about growing his small business. He asked good questions, which was encouraging since few people ask the right ones. Eventually the conversation shifted from growing the business to the purpose of business. And this is where it really becomes interesting.

“You know,” I said casually, “profit is like breathing. You do it to stay alive. But it’s not why you live.”

He stared at me, thoughtful, and took a deep exaggerated breath that made us both laugh.

This conversation happened a few weeks ago at the Christian Economic Forum…

Goble Properties, Wine Reviews,

Goble Properties Napa Retreat

Last week was the Goble Properties staff retreat in Napa Valley, and it was great to spend time with some of my favorite people. The last few years have been very busy so it was good to pause and take a deep breath. We hadn’t taken the time for a retreat in seven years — way too long!

We had breakfasts outside in the crisp mornings, rode bikes to nearby wineries, explored downtown Calistoga, and generally goofed off about half the time. Over the 3-day event we tasted wines at two different wineries: Lava Vines and Mi Sueno. In the …

Goble Properties,

Integrity Matters

Here’s an important business lesson I learned from my father about business integrity. It happened on a hot summer afternoon in the mid-1970’s. I was with my dad as he was negotiating a deal with a contractor. Let’s call the contractor John. The negotiations were bumpy but still civil and respectful.

Suddenly my father let out a deep sigh, leaned back in his chair, and said, “Well, John, it doesn’t look like we can make a deal today.” Without another word, my father stood up, shook John’s hand, and turned toward the door. It was sudden, almost abrupt, and a …

Goble Properties, Junkyard Management,

Celebrating Abelardo

It was nearly 20-years ago when Goble Properties acquired Hopyard Village in Pleasanton. Along with the property came the perpetually smiling maintenance man, Abelardo. Always willing to take on any challenge, eager to learn, and ready to break into song when he wasn’t making small talk, Abelardo has been one of our most popular employees.

So when we found out he was just one history test away from becoming a US citizen, we knew we had to throw a party to celebrate. After daily jokes about his knowledge of Bunker Hill or how many justices sit on the Supreme Court, …

Goble Properties,

A Short Walk Down Goble Lane

One of my earliest work related recollections as a child is sweeping out a metal building on Goble Lane in South San Jose. My Dad purchased the property in the 1950’s to start a wrecking yard, and over the years he had built metal buildings that he leased to small businesses. We sold the property about 15-years ago.

Just recently a colleague sent a picture of Goble Lane as viewed from Communication Hill in South San Jose. The wrecking yard is gone of course, and so is the small trailer park next door. So is the concrete batch plant that

…

Goble Properties, Junkyard Management,

We Could Always Rely on Phyllis

Last week Goble Properties sold Perez Business Park in Cathedral City. It brings an end to a great experience operating the property. Perez was the perfect property type for Goble Properties: all small units, occupied by small businesses, mostly locally owned, and deeply connected to the community.

One significant downside is it means our long time manager, Phyllis, will be retiring at the end of this week. Well, retiring in the sense she won’t have a full-time job in property management. Something tells me she’s going to be an incredible volunteer for several amazing nonprofit organizations. I can’t wait to …

Goble Properties,

Every Business Owner Has a Story

Every business owner has a story. This came to light recently when Suana Hamulic sent me an email about her life. A few years ago Suana and her husband Regis leased retail space in the Hopyard Village Shopping Center, just below my office in Pleasanton, and opened a pizza shop.

Suana was born in Bosnia. Because of the horrific war, and for her own safety, she was forced to leave her home, friends, and family at age 17. She was alone with no connections. Over the next three years she managed to cross the borders of Slovenia, Austria, and eventually …